Justin Rose determined not to let England's World Cup opener put him off his game at US Open

WATCHING England play football at a World Cup is normally a roller-coaster of emotions – and it’s one that Justin Rose is wary of putting himself through as he attempts to defend his US Open title.

England will take on Italy in their opening game of the tournament shortly after the conclusion of the third round of the tournament, which gets under way at Pinehurst, in South Carolina, tomorrow.

Rose is keen to cheer Roy Hodgson’s men to victory in Brazil, but he admits that watching England lose to Germany four years ago possibly cost him the chance of winning a tournament.

“I was leading the Travelers Championship by three into Sunday and England were playing Germany before I went out for my final round,” he said. “It was an emotional football match and then I never really calmed down.

“I ended up going out and losing the golf tournament. So maybe I’ll be a little bit more careful about my emotions watching the football this time around.

“Blind faith that England will get far in the tournament prevails but I would say there’s probably more chance of an English player winning the US Open than England winning the World Cup.”